Volkswagen has opened order books for its facelifted e-Up electric car.Priced at £20,780 OTR, including the government grant, the five-door model brings styling tweaks in line with the recent changes to the Up range in the UK and including revised front and rear bumper and updates to the tail lights.

Interior changes include a leather-trimmed steering wheel, chrome-trimmed interior door handles, air vent surrounds and instruments.

As with the new Up, the electric model brings a new smartphone docking station, giving access to a range of features via the Volkswagen app, including eco driver training tips.

Drivers can also use Volkswagen’s Car-Net e-remote to manage the car’s charging process from their smartphone via the Volkswagen e-Up app.  They can also use the app to switch on their e-Up’s air conditioning remotely before getting in and review vehicle trip statistics, too.  A three-year subscription to the Car-Net e-remote service is included with the new e-Up.

Under the bonnet, the e-Up retains its 81bhp electric motor that gives it a 0-62 mph time of 12.4 seconds and top speed of 80mph.  Maximum range remains at 93 miles while a full charge from a standard household plug takes nine hours.

Deliveries of the new e-Up are expected to begin in October.